MILO – Reuben Harrison Lancaster Jr., 86, husband of the late Doris Pearle (Davis) Lancaster, died June 1, 2006, at a Dexter healthcare facility. He was born Feb. 23, 1920, in the Randall Ridge section of Maxfield, the son of Reuben H. and Elizabeth (Staples) Lancaster Sr. He attended school at Barnard and Seal Cove on Mount Desert Island and after moving to Brownville in December 1927, graduated from Brownville High School in 1937. Reuben was chief clerk in an experimental horticulture farm north of Cheyenne, Wyo., while serving with Co. 2126 of the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was employed by the American Thread Co., Milo and the Dowlin Lumber Co., who for many years cut most of the birch used at the ATCO Mill in Milo. He also worked for W.S. Lancaster, a jobber for Dowlin Lumber Co. in the Patten area. He was a trainman for the Canadian-Pacific Railroad in Brownville Junction and a fireman-engineer for the Boston and Maine Railroad in Greenfield, Mass. During World War II, he served as scout in “Co. A” 180th Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division. Reuben owned and operated a trucking and lumber business in Milo from 1946-1954. He took care of the roads in Baxter State Park during the summer of 1948. From March 1950 until July 1952, Reuben “moonlighted” as a night police officer for Milo. He worked for several years in the seasonal resort hotel business, purchasing Knapp Dairy Bar and Fast Food Takeout, in Milo, in 1966 and running it summers, while managing the beach and pool at the Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande, Fla. during the winters. He expanded the dairy bar into a farmer’s mini-mall, phasing the dairy bar out and becoming a full service general store, which he operated until his retirement in 1994. He was active in social affairs of the area, having held the following offices, past commander of Owen Towne VFW Post, Milo, past noble grand of I.O.O.F., Milo, past master of Piscataquis Lodge No. 44 AF & AM, Milo, past high priest of Rabboni Chapter No. 62 R.A.M., Milo, member and officer of Aldworth Chapter No. 39 O.E.S., Milo, member of Joseph P. Chaisson American Legion Post. No. 41, Milo, member and officer of the Brownville Community Church, UCC, since 1939, president of the Brownville-Brownville Junction Historical Society for several years and chairman of Pleasant Park Tenants Social Activities Association, Milo. He is survived by a daughter, Carolyn Ann (Lancaster) Moore of Charleston; a son, Donald R. and his wife, Camilla (Spinato) Lancaster, of Jerico, Long Island, N.Y.; three sisters, June Bragg of Milo, Rose Washburn of Brownville, Isabel Greany of Brownville and Arcadia, Fla.; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, including one special great-granddaughter, Randi Smith. He will also be remembered by special friends, Avis Spear and Joe Villani. He was predeceased by a sister, Joyce (Lancaster) Quinney. Friends are invited to call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, June 5, at the Lary Funeral Home, Milo, where masonic services will be said 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, at the Brownville Community Church, with the Rev. Darren Morgan and Pastor David Mumford officiating. After the cremation, burial with military honors will be in the family lot in Evergreen Cemetery. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Brownville Historical Society, P.O. Box 750, Brownville ME 04414.